Abstract
Few studies have been reported on the kinematic correlation between incisal and condylar paths.
We defined the parameters related to mandibular movement distance and analyzed the correlation between incisal point and condyles statistically in 20 normal subjects with Kyushu University 3-D movement analyzing system.
The parameters are as follows: the incisal parameter “I” is 3-D linear distance of incisal point during mandibular movement. The condylar parameter “C” is the curve length of condylar path and “Cs” is the antero-posterior distance of condylar path projected on the Camper's plane.
As a reault of this study, there were differences between the right and left condyle paths at the point of maximum opening and during protrusive and lateral excursive movements. In each of the above three movements, there was a high correlation between C and Cs. The Cs ratio of protrusion to maximum opening was about 50% and that of lateral excursion to maximum opening was the same. In protrusion we found a notable correlation between Cs and I. This has suggested we could estimate condylar movement from incisal movement stochastically.
